Edward weston



(No Model.)

E. WESTON.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

N. PETERS. Photo-Lilhngnphur. wamingmn. D. c.

Iharrnn Starts arena Gr mes.

EDIVARD IVESTON, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED STATES ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMPANY, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.301-,881-, dated September 9, 1884:.

Application filed April 15, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD \Vns'roN, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, and a resident of Newark, in the county of Essex 5 and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems of Electric Lighting, of which the following is aspecification,reference being had to the drawing accompanying and forming apart of the same.

In an application filed by me February 1, 1884, No. 119,430, I have shown and described a system of electricaldistribution in which incandescent lamps are connected up in series I 5 in cross or multiple circuits from two main conductors. Each lamp is accompanied by'a resistance-coil to take its place when extinguished, and an automatic device to include the resistance in circuit when the lamp is cut out. With each cross-circuit there is combined a supplemental circuit of high resistance, including a device for interrupting the cross or lamp circuit. The supplemental circuit is not closed, however, until all. the lamps are extinguished, this being effected by switch mechanisms, each of which closes a break in the supplemental circuit when it is operated for extinguishing a lamp. I11 systems of this kind an arc is formed between the separating- 0 points of contact of the switch mechanisms,for the reason that this separation precedes the action or operation of the cut-out mechanisms. WVith the double object of extinguishing this are or preventing any injurious consequence 5 therefrom, and of securing a more positive action of the cut-out, I have combined with the switches and cut-outs devices which are operated or brought into operation by the action'of v the switches, and caused thereby to actuate 0 the cut-outs. The special devices which, in illustration of the principle of my invention, I have hereinbefore described consist of elec tro-magnets of high resistance included in circuits around the switches, and placed so as to operate on the cut-out armatures in opposition to the main magnets. The attractive force of these magnets, under normal conditions, is not sufiicient to overcome that of the main magnets. Upon the separation of the contact-points of a switch,howevcr,the amount of current diverted by the resistance of the arc causes the shunt-magnets to instantly draw down the cutout armature, whereby a circuit equal in resistance to that through the lamp is established around the switch and the are at once extinguished.

The special character of my invention and the conditions requisite for its successful operation will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing,which represents diagrammatically one of the cross or multiple circuits in a system of this kind.

A and B designate the conductors of the main line, between which the cross-circuits are formed. p

O D E designate an arbitrary number of in candescent lamps included in series in a crosscircuit. In the cross-circuit, which is represented throughout by the letters 0 0, are in cluded switch mechanisms F G H, one for and in the vicinity of each incandescent lamp.

Between the switches and the lamps in the circuit 0 are electro-magnetic devices K LM, which, for convenience, I term cut-outs, each consisting of an insulating-base, a, metallie standardsb d, electro-magnetsc c, f f,

g g, secured to the standards I), and armatures h, pivoted to the standards I) between the magnets. The standards d are bent at right angles, or provided with back stops, with which the armatures make contact when withdrawn from the magnets e, f, or g.

In circuits formed between the standards (I and the line 0 are resistancecoils B It It.

The switch mechanisms are constructed with two springs or contact-plates, m m, set in an insulating-base, and connected with the conductors of the circuit 0. Between these springs is avertical spindle, a, carrying a metal block or plate, 1), which, by means of a key, 1), is raised or lowered, the special means for effecting this being more fully described in my application above referred to. In its elevated position the block 12 is in contact with two springs, 16 t, secured to posts on the insulating- 5 base and connected with the conductors of a circuit, 0, formed between the two wires A and B. The circuit 0 includes the magnet c of a cutout, 1, similar to those described, but of very much higher resistance. To the standrupture of the circuit 0.

ards b d of this device the conductors oi circuit c are connected, as shown. "Wires .9 from the circuit 0 connect with the armatures h, and circuits 0 are formed from the springs m, and include the magnets c f g. These magnets are of comparativelyhigh resistance, and present to the armatures h poles of the same sign as those of the magnets c f g.

The functions 01' these devices and their operation are as follows: Assuming that the blocks 1) are all in contact with 'the springs m, the circuit 0 will be closed through the lamps and the circuit 0 broken at ach switch. If it be desired to cut out one of the lamps, as G, the switch G is turned or operated by raising the block p out of contact with the springs in and into contact with the springs i. This operation is likely to produce an are between the block p and springs m, which continues until. the cut-out L drops and establishes the circuit through wire .5; and resistance It. To insure the proper and prompt action of the cutout the magnet f is employed. Normally the small amount of current passing in this magnet does not give it sul'licient attractive force to draw down the armature from the magnet f. The formation of the are, however, by creating a greater diilercnce of potential between the springs on, through the circuit '0, energizes the magnet j" to such an extent that it neutralizes the e fleet of the magnet so that the armature 71 drops upon the back stop and the circuit is closed through the resistance It. This at once extinguishes the are and prevents the burning of the switclreontaets. A similar action takes place when-other lamps are cut out.

It will be noted that when a lamp is cut out by the operation of a switch one of the breaks in the circuit c is closed. When all the lamps are cut out then the circuit 0 will be completed. This is followed by the raising of the armature oi the cut-out I and the By this means a saving of electrical energy eil'ected.

The number and character of the lamps and switches may obviously be varied without departure from the invention; nor do I confine myself to the specific means for securing a positive action of the cut-out by or through the operation of the switch, but what I have shown I regard as the most practicable plan.

lVhat I claim is- 1. The combination, with an electric circuit and a series of electric lamps included therein, of a series of resistancecoils,switches for extinguishing the lamps, devices for interposing the resistance-coils in place of lamps extinguished, and devices operated or brought into operation by the actionv oi" the switches for actuating the devices for interposing the resistance-coils, all substantially as herein set forth.

2. The coml'rination, with a main circuit, cross or multiple circuits, and series of electric lamps included in the crosscircuils, ol" resistancccoils-onc for each hnnp-switch mechanisms for extinguishing the lamps, devices for interposing the resistanee-eoi s in place of lamps extinguished, and devices operated or brought into operation by the action of the switches for actuating the devices for interposing the resistance-coils, all substantially asset forth.

3. The combination, with a main circuit, cross or multiple circuits, and series of elec tric lamps included in the crosseircuits, ol' resistance-coilsone for each lam1 -switch mechanisms for extinguishing the lamps, electromagnetic cut-outs for interposing the re sistaucccoils in place of lamps extinguished, and electroanagnets of high resistance in circuits around the switches, arranged to act in opposition to the cut-out magnets, all suit stantially as herein set forth.

i. In a system of electric lighting, the combinatiomwith a main circuit, cross or multiple circuits, and translating devices inchidcd in series in said cross-circuits, ol' resistances in circuits around the translating devices, supplemental. cross-circuits of high resistance, devices contained therein for interrupting, when the supplemental circuits are closed, the crosscireuits containing the translating de vices, switch mechanisms for cutting out the translating devices, and constructed to close at the same time breaks in the supplemental circuits, electromagneticdevices for bringing in the resistances in place of the translating devices cut out, and electro-magnets of high resistance in circuits around the switch mechanisms, and arranged to actuate or operate upon the devices for bringing in the resist ances, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony whercofI have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of April, 1884.

. lBlDlVAItD WESTON.

Witnesses:

Hurray A. Bncmrnrnn, HARRY llunnnnn. 

